Keeping a Clean Surface under Water: Nanoscale Nipple Array Decreases Surface Adsorption and Adhesion Forces

While nanoscale nipple arrays are expected to reduce light reflection and/or dust contamination in some insects, similar structures have been reported in various marine invertebrates. To evaluate the anti-contamination property of the structure in aquatic regimes, we measured the adsorption and adhesion forces on the flat surface and MOSMITE™ (Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), a synthetic material mimicking the nipple array, under water. A small force toward the surface occurred when the probe approached the substrate surface. This adsorption force was significantly smaller on MOSMITE™ than on the flat surface. The adhesion force toward the surface occurred when the probe was detached from the surface, and it was also significantly smaller on MOSMITE™ than on the flat surface. The adhesion force in the air was much greater than the force under water, and the force was also significantly smaller on MOSMITE™ than on the flat surface. In the aquatic regime, the nipple array provides less adsorption/adhesion properties for the surface and thus, the organisms would have less contamination of microparticles on their body surface. As the adsorption and adhesion forces are also involved in the attachment of cells, tissue, and larvae, less adhesive body surfaces should be beneficial for survival in aquatic environments, as well as land environments.

Neuroendocrinology applied to rabbit breeding

Successful rabbit production relies heavily on the use of adequate practices that enhance specific aspects of reproduction, such as mating, ovulation and lactation. Regardless of the type of production unit or strain of rabbits used, these processes rely on a complex chain of neuroendocrine steps that include particular hormones, peripheral stimuli and activation of discrete brain regions. Such is the case, for instance, of reflex ovulation, which occurs in response to copulation but is inhibited throughout lactation. Little is known about the mechanisms mediating lactational anoestrus and the restoration of oestrus following the cancellation of a single suckling episode (biostimulation). Nevertheless, the latter procedure (adopted worldwide to accelerate reproduction) has unwanted consequences for the doe and her litter. After successive episodes of biostimulation, the former shows a loss of fertility and body mass. In the kits, alterations are observed in their neuroendocrine response to mildly aversive stimulation in adulthood, as well as reductions in sexual behaviour. In addition to milk intake, a good nest is essential for normal litter growth and development. If this is not available, or if it deteriorates, rabbit caretakers can easily (re) build one from hair sheared off other rabbits or using synthetic material. Lactating does will nurse equally well their own or ‘alien’ young, placed inside the nest. It is crucial to have a minimum of six suckling kits in the nest, as the doe relies on this stimulation to maintain a normal nursing behaviour, i.e., only once a day throughout lactation. Recent work is revealing the similarities and differences in the responsiveness to mating among oestrous, lactating and biostimulated does. The relevance of these findings for the likelihood of reflex ovulation and the additional contribution of factors contained in the semen warrant more in-depth research. New insights on these issues, essential to reproductive neuroendocrinology, can emerge by fostering a richer interaction between academic laboratories and rabbit production settings worldwide.

REASONS FOR FAILURES OF SURGICAL TREATMENT OF WOMEN WITH URINARY INCONTINENCE

Аnalysis of literature sources devoted to synthetic sling operations shows that it is not possible to achieve 100% of the result. In addition, the catamnestic effectiveness of surgical correction has been steadily decreasing over the years and after a few years is estimated at about 70%, regardless of the type of intervention, the method of implantation and the properties of the synthetic material used for loop plastic surgery. At the same time, there are a number of works whose results contradict the generally accepted mechanistic point of view about the effects resulting from the implantation of the tape. At the same time, consideration of the problem from the standpoint of the neurophysiological model of the neuroregulatory theory eliminates contradictions and makes it possible to explain the restoration of urine retention after surgery due to the activation of the urethro-sphincter protective reflex. The same approach provides a logical explanation for failures when performing a synthetic sling operation.

Treatment of vesicoureteric reflux in children

Aim. To study the efficacy of endoscopic correction of vesicoureteric reflux in children using bulk synthetic material.Material and methods. From 2016 to 2020, we studied the results of treatment of 63 children with vesicoureteric reflux. The children ranged in age from 6 months to 17 years. The degree of vesicoureteral reflux was as follows: grade I was observed in 2 (3.1%) patients, grade II in 16 (25.3%), grade III in 30 (47.6%), grade IV in 13 (21.98%), and grade V in 2 (3.1%). Among 63 patients with CKD, grade I was found in 26 (41.3%), grade II - in 16 (25.4%); grade III - in 13 (20.6%); grade V - in 2 (3.1%). - III stage - 13 (20,6%); IV stage - 8 (12,7%); IV stage - 4 (12,6%). - (12,7%), and there were no patients with V stage of CKD were absent. Unilateral vesicoureteric reflux was noted in 45 (71.4%) children, bilateral - in 18 (28.5%) children. Endoscopic intravesical correction of vesicoureteral reflux was performed by suburethral injection of “Dam+”.Results and discussion. Summarizing the results of our study, it should be noted that positive results were achieved concerning the relief of urinary tract infection, elimination of urine outflow from the upper urinary tract, improvement of renal function after PMR correction using “Dam+”. Positive results of VUR correction amounted to 75,01%.Conclusions. Endoscopic correction of VUR is one of the effective and low-traumatic methods of treatment. Application of the biocompatible synthetic material “Dam+” in the correction of vesicoureteric reflux contributes to positive results.

Analysis and Study on the Degradation of Sarfloxacin Hydrochloride by BiVO4 Synthetic Material

Difloxacin hydrochloride is commonly used in livestock and poultry chronic respiratory diseases, tracheitis, enteritis, pneumonia, avian cholera, Streptococcosis, typhoid and other diseases caused by sensitive bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus and Pasteurella multocida, especially for Chicken Colibacillosis, piglet red, yellow and white dysentery. The prepared BiVO4 synthetic material was used for photodegradation of the target degradation product of salfloxacin hydrochloride. The degradation rate of the sample to salfloxacin hydrochloride was 24.1%; The degradation rate of the composite sample (Polypyrrole/graphene oxide/bismuth vanadate) reached 75.57%. The degradation rate was 5 times that of BiVO4.

2006 to 2019 Story; percutaneously implantable aortic valve prototypes

Aims A review was conducted on the composition, advantages and limitations of available aortic valve prototypes to create an ideal valve for percutaneous implantation. Patients Patients with multiple comorbidities who cannot withstand the risks of open cardiac surgery. Methodology The search was performed using online databases and textbooks. Articles were excluded based on specific criterion. Results Ten prototypes created between 2006 and 2019 were found and reviewed. The prototypes had a set of advantages and limitations with their characteristics coinciding at times. Conclusions The ideal percutaneously implantable aortic valve should have minimum coaptation height, zero folds in the leaflets, minimum valve height, minimum leaflet flexion and three leaflets. It can be composed of biological or synthetic material, as long as it provides minimal risk of thrombosis. However, more studies are needed to ensure other ideal parameters.

Sonoelastographic Findings of Mucocele-Like Lesion in Breast Due to AQUAfilling® Gel Injection

AQUAfilling® gel has been described as human tissue biocompatible sterile synthetic material. In the literature, there are some cases presenting the complications of gel application. Rupture of implant, leakage, and migration of the gel are the most common complications. The radiologic findings due to gel leaking may mask many breast lesions including malignancy. In this case, the aim was to present the sonographic findings and elastographic features of a histopathologic-proven mucocele-like lesion in breast, due to AQUAfilling® gel injection. This appears to be a rather unique case in the literature.

Capture Silk Scaffold Production in the Cribellar Web Spider

Spider capture silk is a kind of natural scaffold material that outperforms almost any synthetic material in its combination of strength and elasticity. Among the various kinds of silk threads, the cribellar thread is the most primitive type of prey-capturing thread found in spider webs. We analyze the functional organization of the sieve-like cribellum spigots and a specialized comb bristles of calamistrum for capture thread production in the titanoecid spider Nurscia albofasciata. It's outer surface of the cribellum is covered with thousands of tiny spigots, and this cribellum plate produces the non-sticky threads which composed of thousands of finest nanofibers. Average length of the cribellum spigot in N. albofasciata is 10 µm, and each cribellate spigot appeared as singular, long shafts with pagoda-like tiered tips. Each spigot has five distinct segments as a definitive characteristic of this spider. This segmented and flexible structure not only allows it to bend by itself and join together with adjacent spigots, but also enable to draw the silk fibrils from its cribellum with a row of leg bristles of calamistrum to form a cribellar prey capture thread.